A comment and then a question for those more knowledgable...

[carolina stang]

I was down (like everyone else) after the game last night because...

I don't cringe about our defense anymore. In fact, I would say it is better than I can ever remember in other recent seasons. And I think it will only get better. We have some excellent receivers. I think the special teams and other problems can be fixed. I see progress. But I am depressed, because it is going to go all for naught because of the QB. In reading other posts, I agree in what everyone is saying: He doesn't have the "it." I think he is trying his hardest, but regardless the result the coach will stay with him. I mean I see no hope that is ever going to change until this guy graduates. If we're not going to even give a backup a few snaps, why the hell do we even recruit them except for a catastrophic injury?

So here's my question, somewhat unrelated (just needed to vent above): I know the model is in place for us to be successful and it takes time. But is this a better team than 05 or 06? I want to believe it is. You can't always go by records, and I'm not suggesting that the Phil Bennett era was the golden age of SMU football. (Anymore than Rossley or Cavan-it's all been pretty bad- but the model was not in place) And we couldn't obviously sustain those two good years. So are we better? Could this team beat 05 or the 06 team? Those teams (save for the A&M debacle in 05) were in most of the games they played. Just asking those who are more "students" of the game and recruiting.

I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

[SMU Hockey 2010]

I know exactly what you mean and I agree completely with your assessment. We're making a great Thanksgiving dinner and everything from the biscuits to the silverware is perfect, but the turkey's burnt and it'll all amount to squat unless that changes. And it won't.

The only way to measure a team is W-L. This isn't Boy Scouts where we all got badges for participating and talked about what we learned and how cool it all was. So as of right now, we're one conference win better than last year. And until we win again, that's all we'll be in my eyes.

[Mexmustang]

At this time, there is no one ready to come in and do a better job. A true freshman that has limited game experience in high school and no game experience in college? Next year we should have a "red shirt" freshman (see above) and a junior transfer (with college game experience) and maybe a healthy, more matture two-year starter. That in terms of SMU is progress. The conditions at the stadium last night were at best very poor, the rain was much heavier than it appeared in this mornings re run. The wind was eratic, and we were facing one of the best defenses in the nation. I too wonder whether or not Bo has "it", but the kid has been sick all fall, losing 20 pounds is no joke and being blitzed early and often doesn't make a quarterback calm and smart in the pocket.

[George S. Patton]

This is a message board. Go with your gut. Write what you believe. Don't let the MILITANT SUNSHINERS dictate what you should and shouldn't write and defer to them because they ALLEGEDLY know more than you.

[carolina stang]

This is a message board. Go with your gut. Write what you believe. Don't let the MILITANT SUNSHINERS dictate what you should and shouldn't write and defer to them because they ALLEGEDLY know more than you.

Thanks General. However, it's not a lack of confidence in my opinion. It's just that I keep looking for a glimmer of hope. And as big of a football fan as I am, I don't follow recruiting in a big way or could tell you whether a certain linebacker had a good game. Unless, if maybe I was looking at tape all week.

Guess I would answer that the 05, 06 teams vs. this year's version had more experience, but this year's defense is miles ahead. And we're recruiting better athletes.

[ponyscott]

Hey.....I like the constructive postings and opening it up for all with an open question...good job!

[HFvictory]

Last season the team was better than a 1-11 team, they just had the wrong leader. This year they seem to be a little better, but still have the wrong leader, though he has improved mildly.

The problem I see is the talent falls off after this season and the next. There isn't a Div1 FBS QB on this team or listed as a commit. Johnson is as close as you get but he really should be a DB or WR. The players that are actually making the plays are gone after this season (other than McNeal) and the defensive recruiting just seems to be worse & worse.

Personally I think you had a 5 or 6 win team last season if JW was the QB and don't think you get there this season. Hope I am wrong.

[Statler]

(While taking time out on my anti-gelding quest)

JJ has a formula. It does produce wins. He believes that he is one of the best evaluators of qb talent in the country. I actually believe he is. Look what he did for Chang.

I still aprove of the hire and believe that JJ is the answer. My concern is that he spend less time about the "losing culture" and spend all his time on the actual x's and o's. In other words, quit worrying about what leads the team on the field and start worrying about what team is on the field.

(We now return you back to the anti gluestick network).

[SoCal_Pony]

The problem I see is the talent falls off after this season and the next.

HF,

I value your opinion.

So you are saying the talent falls off once the PB players leave?

[ReedFrawg]

Last season the team was better than a 1-11 team, they just had the wrong leader. This year they seem to be a little better, but still have the wrong leader, though he has improved mildly.

The problem I see is the talent falls off after this season and the next. There isn't a Div1 FBS QB on this team or listed as a commit. Johnson is as close as you get but he really should be a DB or WR. The players that are actually making the plays are gone after this season (other than McNeal) and the defensive recruiting just seems to be worse & worse.

Personally I think you had a 5 or 6 win team last season if JW was the QB and don't think you get there this season. Hope I am wrong.

I agree with a lot of this analysis...still think it was a huge mistake to not give Willis a shot at QB. I think 6 wins is a possibility in CUSA West but you have to win 1 of the next 4 and ECU at home is the best bet. While the last 4 are all winnable, I think 3-1 is about the best you can realistically hope for. This week is huge and a must-win...hopefully BLM can pull his head out...

[larskjenstad]

Last season the team was better than a 1-11 team, they just had the wrong leader. This year they seem to be a little better, but still have the wrong leader, though he has improved mildly.

The problem I see is the talent falls off after this season and the next. There isn't a Div1 FBS QB on this team or listed as a commit. Johnson is as close as you get but he really should be a DB or WR. The players that are actually making the plays are gone after this season (other than McNeal) and the defensive recruiting just seems to be worse & worse.

Personally I think you had a 5 or 6 win team last season if JW was the QB and don't think you get there this season. Hope I am wrong.

HUH ???? Dude, the talent doesnt fall off, JJ is getting some good players in, you been falling the team ?

[OC Mustang]

Carolina...

I want to take a stab at your question. There are several ways to judge whether this team is better than '05 or '06, or even earlier teams. One is by wins...the other is still by wins, but relative to our opponents. Stallion has made the point in older posts that none of the teams during the 2000s really compare well with the teams circa 1992-1996 because the conference changed, and it appears with it so did SMU's fortunes.

However, I don't know if all that really matters now. We have the coach we have...and he's a good coach with success to prove it...however, is this the guy whose team/s will bring SMU back to consistency? I don't know, but I really believe...and let this sink in real well...that this season is crucial. I think Bennett's ugly & 10 season killed recruiting for him, and with it the sustainability of his teams. Willis, despite being exceptional, couldn't do it alone. Jones faces the same issue, having gone one-fer last season. I would have liked to have taken one if not both of the last two games, but the bottom line is the end result. For all we know, SMU could go 8-4 (unlikely, but given CUSA's inconsistency as well as last year's to-the-buzzer games, it's more than possible). If Jones does for two years in a row, I believe he has a better chance of sustaining momentum for his last two years.

I'll say it like I have said it in other threads: the urgent has become the enemy of the important.
It sucks, but right now, it's as simple as wins...the more skins this team can hang on the wall, the better off they will be down the road.

[Big Hoss]

Carolina, here is one thing that you can do: drive over to downtown Burlington and get yourself a couple of Zack's hot dogs with chili & slaw. It may not help you feel better about the Mustangs season, but it will get your mind off of it for at least a few minutes.

[carolina stang]

Carolina, here is one thing that you can do: drive over to downtown Burlington and get yourself a couple of Zack's hot dogs with chili & slaw. It may not help you feel better about the Mustangs season, but it will get your mind off of it for at least a few minutes.

Big Hoss, just the thought of Zack's chili and slaw dog brightens my mood. I think I should take one of my sales reps and make a "cold call" at lunch. I've been needing to go to Burlington.

I am having better luck with my pro teams, the 49ers and the Colts.